January 12 2017 Brisbane digs deep to help slain bus driver Manmeet Sharma's family in India .Brisbane residents have dug deep to help slain bus driver Manmeet Sharma's family, with more than $90,000 raised to be sent back to India.Mr Sharma, 29, was burnt to death at Moorooka as he was behind the wheel of his Brisbane City Council bus last October, in an unprovoked attack that sent shockwaves through the Australian and Indian communities, right up to the heads of government.Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner was deeply affected by Manmeet Sharma's death. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams .Mr Sharma, known in the Punjabi community as a talented singer, had only been driving Brisbane buses for a few months and had been sending money home to India to assist his family there.Anthony O'Donohue, 48, has been charged with Mr Sharma's murder and the attempted murder of the 11 passengers on board the route 125 bus.Brisbane bus driver Manmeet Sharma was killed while on duty in October last year. Photo: Supplied .It was possible his case would be heard in the Mental Health Court.Deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner, who was deeply affected by Mr Sharma's death in the days after the attack, said he was surprised by the generosity of people who donated to the fund.The council set up the fund in November, with a $10,000 donation on behalf of ratepayers. As of Thursday, $90,779.20 had been donated to the fund."There wasn't any expectation," Cr Schrinner said."This is a unique situation and nothing like this has happened before, and this sort of trust hasn't been set up before."Ninety thousand dollars is a fantastic response from the community and you expect people to be touched when something like this happens."It goes to show how much the city was affected by what happened in October."The Brisbane community has a big heart and this shows the size of that heart."Cr Schrinner, who as the council's public transport chairman oversaw Mr Sharma's employment, said the biggest donation was of about $25,000, which came from the Indian community following a fundraising day.Fairfax Media revealed on Thursday that the bus in which Mr Sharma died was in the process of being destroyed and its fleet number, S-1980, had been retired.Donations could still be made to the Manmeet Sharma Trust to Council Customer Service Centres or via direct debit to:•Account Name: BCC Manmeet Sharma Trust Fund•BSB: 064 000•Account Number: 14715982www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bri ... tqfie.html

Brisbane's Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has jumped a plane to Canberra to deliver the city's multibillion-dollar wish list to the federal government. Cr Quirk attended Parliament House on Wednesday as the chair of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) for two days of meetings with key government and opposition representatives to discuss infrastructure investment. It was understood the mayors also intended to use the opportunity to pursue their push for the south-east Queensland region to be the next to partner with the Commonwealth and Queensland government on a "City Deal" funding arrangement.

"Relieving congestion and delivering a public transport system which works for the region remains the firm focus of the SEQ mayors," Cr Quirk. "What SEQ needs is a long-term commitment to infrastructure funding and a solid delivery mechanism - an SEQ City Deal can achieve this. "The Council of Mayors (SEQ) will be heading to Canberra looking for a solid commitment from the Commonwealth to work with the Queensland government and the councils of SEQ to establish Australia's largest City Deal."

The Council of Mayors asked the federal government to commit to funding and supporting, in part or full, the following infrastructure projects:

Public transport

Northern Busway - $2-3 billion

The busway project would have three main stages: Kedron to Chermside, Chermside to Aspley and Aspley to Carseldine.

Eastern Busway to Capalaba - $1.736 billion

The extension of the Eastern Busway to Capalaba would connect to the city rail and bus network and South East Busway. The 2017 Federal Advocacy Document to be discussed at the two-day meeting said the 18 kilometre busway would reduce travel times by up to 20 minutes.

Gold Coast light rail stage 3A - $700 million

Extending the "G" light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads is high on the priority list. Gold Coast City is already undertaking a reference design and preparing a business case for this stage.

South East Busway extension - $250 million

The extension is proposed to connect two hubs and run from Eight Mile Plains to Loganholme.

Manly to Cleveland rail duplication - $180 million

Duplication of the rail line between Manly and Cleveland to allow more frequent services to Brisbane CBD and airport.

Springfield to Ipswich southern rail corridor - $150 million

On the back of the Darra to Springfield corridor it is proposed Springfield to Ipswich rail would further improve accessibility and growth for the areas.

Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail - $5 million

This project is in need of the funding for a business case. The 2017 Federal Advocacy Document said the timely delivery of passenger rail was needed to service future growth of areas in the corridor to the south-west of Brisbane.

Toowoomba to Rosewood Passenger bus/rail service - $2.5 million

Funding for a business case was listed in the 2017 Federal Advocacy Document for the proposal of a combination of bus connection to Withcott and fast diesel passenger rail to Rosewood.

I'd like to know why the busways are so incredibily expensive? They rate amongst the most expensive public transport infrastructure projects in Australia and yet they're used only by buses, a low-capacity mode. If you're going to spend that much on infrastructure you should put a railway on it. Or looking at it another way, how much should it cost to build a couple of bus lanes and the occasional bus stop? Something is not right here.

Today's news of reports of the death bus drivers, they said it will install a new back door emergancy button, because its was only one emergency button in the front, its take 18 months.

BRISBANE’S entire bus fleet will be fitted with two emergency exits after passengers had difficulty escaping when driver Manmeet Sharma was set alight behind the wheel last year.

The move is part of three recommendations outlined in a new report into the bus driver’s death.

Brisbane City Council commissioned Aus Safe Consulting to complete the report into the incident, which occurred on October 28 last year at Moorooka.

All recommendations have been accepted.

Bus driver Manmeet Sharma died at Moorooka last October.Police allege Anthony O’Donohue threw a flammable device at Mr Sharma, who was killed in the blaze, after the bus was stopped to pick up passengers at Moorooka. O’Donohue’s case has been referred to the mental health court.

The report, completed in April this year, recommended having better signage in buses for how to open doors after passengers struggled to escape as smoke filled the vehicle during the October incident.

It found passengers were likely pushing or pulling the door after pressing the emergency release button instead of sliding it.

With only one emergency window located at the front of the bus, the report found it was difficult for passengers to escape quickly.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said 600 buses of the 1200-vehicle fleet that lacked rear emergency exits would have them installed, which could take up to 18 months.

“Obviously we can’t take great slabs of buses off the road at any given time so obviously we will do that as a rolling program,” Cr Quirk said.

“It will be commencing immediately but it will be an 18-month program to complete it.”

To improve the relationship passengers have with bus drivers, an educational program was recommended that promoted a “more harmonious existence” to reduce threats.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the issue of protective shields had been divisive — including among driver. File pictureCr Quirk said drivers would be armed with better information on how to respond to potential assaults through training.

“It’s a sad fact that our drivers are faced with volatile situations out there on the network, often with passengers involved,” Cr Quirk said.

The report discussed the idea of installing protective cases around bus drivers but this was considered somewhat controversial because it could increase danger in certain scenarios.

Cr Quirk said: “A lot of bus drivers are divided on this issue because the reality is in their daily role they are out of their seats very often in terms of a single trip.”

Cr Quirk said he would wait for the State Government to complete a separate review into bus driver safety about whether barriers should be installed.

“We will implement those recommendations,” Cr Quirk said.

Council’s public transport boss Adrian Schrinner said the report would be sent to the State Government so it could be considered as part of the broader review.

“We want trips on our bus network to be safe,” Cr Schrinner said.

“We want people to feel safe, drivers to feel safe, so people continue catching public transport. We believe implementing these actions will deliver a safer bus fleet and public transport for our city.”

Police at the scene of an attack on a Brisbance City Council bus driver at Moorooka late last year. Picture: Tara Croser.Rail, Tram and Bus Union assistant state secretary Tom Brown said he welcomed any measures that increased bus driver safety.

But he wanted council to put on extra security guards for trouble routes until the recommendations could be fully implemented.

“We have been disappointed in the council’s response to our requests for extra security guards,” Mr Brown said.

“It’ll be a while before anything concrete comes from these reports.”

However, he admitted the State Government has failed to put on extra authorised officers, who have the power to fine passengers riding without a ticket.

He said he was disappointed the State Government was yet to release its own safety review.

Opposition Leader Peter Cumming said he supported anything that increased bus driver safety but was also disappointed no security guards would be supplied in the interim.

Just one throwaway line about 'metro' to appease the masses, and it isn't even a real metro, just a busway.

Roderick

June 13 2017 $1 billion spend to ease Brisbane's traffic congestion .Brisbane's road network will receive a $1 billion over the next financial year in a bid to prevent motorists grinding to a halt. On Tuesday Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said one-third of Brisbane City Council's $3 billion 2017-18 budget due to be delivered on Wednesday would go towards road projects to tackle congestion.One-third of Brisbane City Council's $3 billion 2017-18 budget due to be delivered on Wednesday would go towards road projects to tackle congestion. Photo: Glenn Hunt ."If we don't keep the infrastructure build-up what happens is you get more and more delays out on the road network and there is a cost associated with that," Cr Quirk said."There is the direct business cost that could grow to $4 billion to $6 billion ... and then there's the lifestyle cost for Brisbane people.Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said one third of the 2017-2018 Brisbane City Council budget would be spent on tackling traffic congestion. Photo: Chris Hyde ."Over the coming year, some major milestones will be achieved in council's package of road projects tackling congestion."The $1 billion 2017-18 spend will be put towards 39 major road projects, 250 minor projects and the resurfacing of 650 streets. Major projects and 2017-18 funding:•Kingsford Smith Drive - $223 million•Telegraph Road (stage 1a, 1b and 2) - $81 million •Wynnum Road (stage 1 and 1b) - $30 million •Inner City Bypass - $10 million The minor projects will include works such as right-hand turn pockets and line markings. "If there is one thing that people tell me out around the streets of Brisbane, they want us to keep up with the infrastructure build," Cr Quirk said.He said the resurfacing of 650 streets was a record. "I cannot recall a time in my time in council where we've resealed so many roads," he said."This is a major commitment to road resealing."Major roads to be resurfaced in 2017-2018:•Algester Road, Algester.•Beams Road, Carseldine.•Boundary Road, Camp Hill.•Creek Road, Murarrie.•Hamilton Road, Wavell Heights.•Honour Avenue, Graceville.•Inala Avenue, Forest Lake.•Johnson Road, Parkinson.•Manly Road, Manly.•Miskin Street, Toowong.•Newmarket Road, Enoggera.•Old Cleveland Road, Carindale and Coorparoo.•Wellington Road, Woolloongabba.Cr Quirk said the $1 billion did not include works for Brisbane Metro but he would not reveal any further detail on the project."Tomorrow I will explain how the Brisbane Metro will be funded and outline the program in association with that," he said.Other budget commitments include $2.7 million for school safety, $1.9 million for high visibility road warning signage and $43 million for river-based tourism and recreation.The Brisbane City Council 2017-2018 budget will be delivered at City Hall on Wednesday, June 14. www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/1-b ... wpvmn.html

June 14 2017 Quirk blasts bureaucratic 'red tape' stifling Brisbane River tourism .State government bureaucratic red tape is strangling future tourism growth on the Brisbane River, the city's lord mayor said after handing down his budget on Wednesday.Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said he was "terribly frustrated" at faltering plans to have river tourism expanded to places such as North Stradbroke, South Stradbroke and Moreton islands.Lord Mayor Graham Quirk wants tourism operators to have more freedom to use the Brisbane River. Photo: Chris Hyde .And he found an ally in Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind."(Cr Quirk) has certainly hit on a very high priority issue," Mr Gschwind said.Red tape is stalling Brisbane's river tourism potential: Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said. Photo: Tony Moore ."I can say with confidence that there are operators who currently offer services in relation to the river are indeed frustrated that further evolution of product is further stymied by complex administrative arrangements and long and tedious processes."The idea of new super-ferries to Moreton Bay islands, along with other river tourism ideas, have been explored since 2008, but nothing concrete has ever eventuated.And the Department of State Development is also aware of plans by North Stradbroke Island's Quandamooka people to have Brisbane conference delegates travel on day trips to explore their cultural heritage as a replacement industry for sand mining, but limited progress has been made.Cr Quirk allocated $18 million over four years for new mooring facilities and marinas on the Brisbane River as Brisbane City Council tried to boost river-based tourism in Brisbane."Although international and domestic tourist numbers continue to climb for Brisbane, the river-based tourism and recreation sector is undeveloped," he said.Tourism figures show more than 7 million tourists come to Brisbane each year and inject $6.3 million into the economy each year."River development processes are riddled with bureaucratic approval processes with many fingers in the pie," Cr Quirk said in his budget speech."I simply ask other authorities to adopt a 'make it happen' approach in the interests of Brisbane and its future."“Although international and domestic tourist numbers continue to climb for Brisbane, the river-based tourism and recreation sector is undeveloped.”Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk In his media conference afterwards, Cr Quirk said there were too many groups with a say in what happened on the Brisbane River."What I am saying is that anytime that anyone wants to do something on the river, there are a lot of fingers in the pie," he said."And we need to get a spirit of 'can-do', if you like. We need a spirit of 'make it happen' out there on the river."Cr Quirk said the council was having problems with the state government's Maritime Safety Queensland, and other agencies, as it tried to get approval for new mooring and river marinas.The council proposes new docks at Teneriffe, Hawthorne, Kurilpa, Brett's Wharf, the University of Queensland, Newstead House and the Bulimba Barracks site.MSQ must approve all river travel projects.Cr Quirk said he believed the delays meant it was time for a new approach."This isn't something that is new, this is something that has been a real issue for a long period of time," he said."In my view, a single river co-ordinating authority is probably a long way overdue."I really do think we need to look at a single entity that co-ordinates the approval processes on the river."Mr Gschwind said Cr Quirk was correct in identifying big problems for river tourism businesses. He said while huge inroads had been made in using the river, there were "certainly a lot of opportunities that are untapped and under-utilised".Mr Gschwind said river tourism operators were definitely frustrated by red tape."We have very limited access for tourism operators for access for vessels and boats," he said."We have untapped opportunities for activity in and near the river that could be explored if we had arrangements which were more conducive to encourage private investment in supportive infrastructure."MSQ, which formed part of the Department of Main Roads, said through a spokesman that safety on the river had to be its first priority.The MSQ spokesman said it had to work with two other departments, the Department of Environment and Heritage and the Department of State Development, on any new ideas to use the river.Queensland's tourism bodies, including Tourism Minister Kate Jones or her department, appeared to have no input to the process.No relevant state government minister was available for comment Wednesday.www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/qui ... wr9s1.html

May 30 2017 Brisbane 'Metro' business case to reveal 24-hour weekend services . [as everything in pt, spin into outright lies, and here a gross prostitution of the term 'metro').The Brisbane Metro rapid transit system will operate 24 hours a day on weekends, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced ahead of the release of the long-awaited business case on Tuesday.The business case for the $944 million project was set to be unveiled at City Hall at 10am, with just two days to spare before the council's May release deadline.More videos Brisbane Metro: flyover.The Brisbane Metro will link up with existing bus and rail terminals, providing a high frequency service which makes travel to the city quicker, with fewer delays.Cr Quirk said metro services would run non-stop on weekends and at least 20 hours on weekdays once it was operational in 2022."The Brisbane Metro will demonstrate our credentials as a vibrant 24-hour, new world city with services operating around the clock on weekends," he said."Each metro vehicle will have free Wi-Fi internet, so passengers can stay connected while travelling along the metro lines."Brisbane City Council abandoned its original $1.57 billion proposal for rubber-tyred trams between Woolloongabba and Herston in March.In its place was a two-line network, with Metro 1 (between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street) and Metro 2 (between the University of Queensland and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital) serviced by a more flexible fleet of bi-articulated buses.The cost of the new configuration, $944 million, was expected to be confirmed in the business case to be released on Tuesday.Artists' impression of a Brisbane Metro bi-articulated bus crossing the Victoria Bridge. Photo: BCC .Eventually, the Brisbane Metro could expand to Chermside, Carindale and Springwood.The high-frequency, high-capacity Brisbane Metro would run across 21 kilometres of existing busway infrastructure.Lord Mayor Graham Quirk will release the Brisbane Metro business case on Tuesday. Photo: Chris Hyde .Cr Quirk said it would reduce travel times by about 30 per cent in the morning peak and 50 per cent in the afternoon peak."The Brisbane Metro corridor links key employment areas with a high-frequency passenger transport system to support business and enable these locations to thrive," he said."Brisbane Metro will be part of a long-term plan for a broader metro network as extensions are made to the state government's busway network and will be integrated with the proposed Cross River Rail project and other existing rail."Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last year linked federal Cross River Rail funding to its integration with the Brisbane Metro.The metro would include upgrades to 17 existing bus stations, two Cross River Rail interchanges and a new underground station at South Brisbane.That station would be built about seven metres below the intersection of Grey and Melbourne streets, adjacent to the existing South Brisbane train station.It would include two 100-metre platforms (inbound and outbound), platform screen doors, real-time passenger information displays, off-board ticketing and escalators.The Victoria Bridge would also be closed to general traffic to allow metro and bus services exclusive road use.Each of the 60 Brisbane Metro bi-articulated buses would carry up to 150 passengers. Related Articles:'Twin-bend' electric buses that will drive Brisbane's metro Brisbane 'Metro': 'If it walks like a bus and moves like a bus, it is a bus' 'Banana' buses considered for Brisbane Metro Brisbane Metro business case 'delayed': Opposition Brisbane Metro to expand to Chermside, Carindale and Springwood .www.theage.com.au/queensland/brisbane-m ... wfrkb.html

June 29 2017 Car crashes into Brisbane bus stop: delays, three injured .Commuters waiting at a Brisbane bus stop were injured after a small sedan crashed into the shelter on Thursday.Emergency services were called to Upper Roma Street after the car mounted the kerb and careened into the bus shelter just after 2.20pm.Two people were in the bus shelter at the time of the crash. Photo: Queensland Ambulance Service .Queensland Ambulance Service medical director Stephen Rashford said the two women at the bus shelter and the man in the car were all taken to hospital."We have transported three people from the scene, luckily no one is critically ill, all have been transported to major trauma services," Dr Rashford said.The bus shelter was completely destroyed. Photo: Amy Mitchell-Whittington ."There is very extensive damage to the bus shelter."The people in the bus shelter have certainly had a lucky escape ... (they) have been treated with soft-tissue injuries and fractures."Police are looking into whether the crash was caused by a medical condition suffered by the 72-year-old driver.The man and a 16-year-old girl were taken to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and an 85-year-old woman to Princess Alexandra hospital.The inbound bus lane on Upper Roma Street was closed until 5pm, police said.Motorists experienced delays at Skew Street, William Jolly Bridge and Grey Street at South Brisbane.http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensl ... x17ax.html